In the early days of Christianity, there was no name that struck more fear into believers’ hearts than Saul of Tarsus. This man was so consumed with religious hatred that he literally dragged men and women from their homes, throwing them into prison for their faith.
Acts 8:3 tells us he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. But here’s what will blow your mind: This same man would become the greatest apostle who ever lived, writing most of the New Testament we read today. As Saul traveled toward Damascus with official letters from the high priest, breathing out threats and slaughter against Jesus’ followers, he had no idea his entire world was about to be turned upside down.
The scripture says in Acts 9, 1-2 that he was on his way to Damascus for one purpose, to destroy the church there. Little did he know that God was about to demonstrate something that most Christians today have never experienced. Let me tell you what happened on that dusty road that changed everything. As Saul approached Damascus with his band of men, confident in his mission to arrest every believer he could find, suddenly a light, brighter than the noonday sun, blazed from heaven. But this wasn’t just any light.
3-4 records that this light was so intense, it knocked him to the ground and left him speechless. Can you imagine the shock on the faces of his traveling companions as their fearless leader crashed to the earth? From that blinding light came a voice that would echo through eternity, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? Now, picture Saul’s confusion as he stammered, Who are you, Lord? The answer that came back changed everything. I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Think about that moment. The very Jesus that Saul thought was dead, the one whose followers he’d been hunting down like animals, was very much alive and speaking directly to him. Saul’s response reveals the immediate transformation: Lord, What do you want me to do? But here’s where it gets really interesting. The men, traveling with Saul, heard the voice but saw no one. They stood speechless, watching their leader struggle on the ground, completely blind. The same letters of authority he’d been so proud of carrying were now scattered in the dust. If he’d wanted to pick them up, he couldn’t. His sight was completely gone. For three days, Saul sat in darkness on Straight Street in Damascus. He couldn’t see, he wouldn’t eat, and he wouldn’t drink. But you know what he was doing? He was praying like he’d never prayed before.
11 tells us that when God spoke to a disciple named Ananias about going to Saul, he said, Behold, he is praying. Now, here’s what most people miss about this story. God could have healed Saul instantly on that road. he could have filled him with the Holy Spirit right there in the dirt. But instead, he chose to use an ordinary man, a disciple named Ananias, who was living so close to God that heaven could speak to him. When the Lord appeared to Ananias in a vision, telling him to go to Straight Street and pray for Saul, Ananias did exactly what most of us would do: he protested.
13-14, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name. But listen to what God told him, Go, for he is a chosen vessel of mine to bear my name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. Brethren, this is the heart of our God. He doesn’t see who you were, he sees who you’re becoming. But wait until you hear what happened, when Ananias finally obeyed. He walked into that house, laid his hands on the man who had been dragging Christians to prison just days before, and said these incredible words: Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Did you catch that? He called him Brother Saul. Not Enemy Saul or Persecutor Saul. Brother Saul. That’s the grace of God in Action Church.
18 tells us something like scales fell from his eyes and he could see. But that’s not the most amazing part. the scripture says he was filled with the Holy Spirit now the text doesn’t specifically mention tongues here but we know from first Corinthians 14 18 that Paul later declared I thank my god I speak with tongues more than you all you better believe that when he received that baptism it was with the same power and evidence that fell on the day of Pentecost but here’s a modern story that’ll shock you just as much years ago I heard about a man in England who was known as the worst man in town. His language was so vile that even wicked men couldn’t stand to be around him. This man held the position of public hangman. He was the one who executed murderers. He told people later that he believed every time he performed an execution, the demon spirits from those criminals entered into him. His life became so miserable that he decided to end it all. He bought a train ticket with one purpose: to throw himself out of the train in a tunnel, just as another train was approaching from the opposite direction. He thought this would guarantee a quick death. But God had other plans. At that very train station was a young man who had been saved just the night before. This new convert was so on fire for God that he’d made a commitment to get someone saved every single day of his life. When he saw this dejected hangman at the depot, something stirred in his spirit. He walked up to this suicidal man and began talking to him about Jesus. Against all odds, he convinced him to come to their mission meeting. For two and a half hours, this hangman sat under such conviction that you could literally see vapor rising from his body as he sweated under the power of God’s conviction. And then it happened. This monument of wickedness was gloriously saved. When he went home and told his wife, God has saved me, she broke down and got saved too. The change was so dramatic that even their cat knew the difference. Before his salvation, the cat would run away whenever he walked through the door. But that very night, the cat jumped on his knee and went to sleep. One of his sons said to his mother, What’s happened in our house? It was never like this before. It’s so peaceful. What is it? When she explained that his father had gotten saved, both sons were amazed at the transformation. This former hangman, Barry, became an evangelist. and hundreds upon hundreds were brought to Jesus through his ministry. If God could transform a professional executioner into a soul winner, he can transform anybody.
Brethren, this is exactly what Jesus was talking about when he declared in John 7:38, He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. The scripture explains that, This he spoke concerning the Spirit. whom those who believe in him would receive. You see, there’s a difference between having the well of salvation bubbling up inside you and having rivers of living water flowing out of you. Saul experienced both. First, his dramatic conversion. Then, his filling with the Holy Spirit. Jesus himself demonstrated this pattern. He was born of the Spirit, but at his baptism, the Spirit descended upon him for ministry. The apostle Peter understood this distinction. 8-9, when describing what happened at Cornelius’s house, he said, God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us and made no distinction between us and them purifying their hearts by faith and Acts 10 46 tells us they knew they’d received the Holy Spirit because they heard them speak with tongues and magnify god
Paul later wrote in 1 Corinthians 12 7 that the manifestation of the spirit is given for the profit of all this isn’t just about personal blessing It’s about becoming God’s mouthpiece, speaking as the very oracles of God. Look at what happened to Saul after his Holy Spirit baptism. The rest of the Book of Acts shows us a man who turned the world upside down for Jesus. He planted churches, raised the dead, healed the sick, and wrote letters that are still transforming lives today. That’s what happens when someone moves beyond just being saved to being Spirit-filled and Spirit-empowered.
11 declares, But if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to every believer. Brethren, here’s what I want you to understand. Most Christians today are living far below their spiritual inheritance. They’ve been saved, yes, they’ve got their fire insurance, and they’re going to heaven. But they’re missing the rivers of living water that Jesus promised would flow from within them. The majority of believers today are content with just enough Jesus to get by. They’ll attend church when it’s convenient, they’ll pray when they’re in trouble, but they’re not walking in the supernatural power that God has made available to them. But what if God wanted to use you like He used Saul? What if He’s been waiting for you to step into the fullness of what He’s provided? Here’s the challenge that most Christians will never accept: stop being satisfied with ordinary Christianity and start pursuing the supernatural life that Jesus died to give you. I’m talking about stepping into ministry when God calls you, even if you feel unqualified. I’m talking about praying for the sick and expecting them to be healed. I’m talking about witnessing boldly to your family members, your coworkers, your neighbors, even when they think you’re crazy.
Listen, the scripture says in 1 Peter 1:8 that we are filled with joy, inexpressible, and full of glory. If that’s not your experience, you’re missing something. The children of God should be the happiest people on earth. We should be so full of the Holy Spirit that we can barely contain ourselves. But here’s what happens to most believers. They get saved, they join a church, and they settle into a comfortable routine. They never ask God to fill them with His Spirit. They never step out in faith. They never take the risks that come with walking in supernatural power. Brothers and sisters, if God could take a murdering persecutor like Saul and turn him into the greatest apostle who ever lived, what could he do with you? If he could take a demon-possessed hangman and turn him into a soul-winning evangelist, what might he accomplish through your life if you’d just say yes to his fullness? The same Jesus who appeared to Saul on the Damascus Road is alive today. The same Holy Spirit who filled him is available right now. The same grace that transformed the worst of sinners is being offered to you. Your spiritual authority isn’t based on your past. It’s based on God’s power within you.
17 reminds us that if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things have passed away behold, all things have become new. Stop letting your history define your destiny. Stop accepting spiritual mediocrity when God has called you to walk in supernatural power. The world needs believers who are willing to be filled with the Spirit and used by God in extraordinary ways. The same grace that transformed Saul of Tarsus from Christianity’s greatest enemy into its greatest champion is available for you today. The same Holy Spirit baptism that empowered Him to turn the world upside down is waiting to fill you right now. Brethren, don’t settle for anything less than the fullness of what God has provided. Don’t be content with just being saved when God wants to make you a vessel of His supernatural power. The world is waiting for Christians who will step into their spiritual authority and demonstrate the reality of Jesus Christ. Whether you’ve been a believer for years or you’re just starting your journey, God has more for you than you’ve ever imagined. The question is, will you be like Ananias and obey when God calls you to step into the impossible? Will you be willing to receive everything God wants to give you? Let us pray. Father, we come before you right now in the mighty name of Jesus, asking you to do what only you can do, like you did with Saul on the Damascus Road. Open our spiritual eyes to see who you really are. Remove the scales that have kept us from walking in the fullness of your power. Holy Spirit, we invite you to fill us completely, to overflow our lives with rivers of living water that will bless everyone we encounter. Give us the boldness of Paul, the obedience of Ananias, and the supernatural power that transforms ordinary believers into world changers. We reject spiritual mediocrity and embrace the supernatural life you died to give us. Use us to reach the lost, heal the sick, and demonstrate your kingdom power to this generation. In Jesus’ mighty name, amen. I believe with all my heart that as you’ve discovered how God transforms His greatest enemies into His greatest champions today, you’ve awakened to your own calling as a chosen vessel. The revelation of God’s transforming grace you’ve received is already breaking off limitations and positioning you for supernatural breakthrough. Comment below with, If He can use Saul, He can use me. and share one specific area where you’re ready to trust God for supernatural breakthrough. Your boldness might inspire someone else to take that leap of faith today. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit that notification bell for rare, timeless, and anointed teachings that will help you grow spiritually and walk in the authority Christ intended for you. Start each day this week by asking the Holy Spirit to fill you afresh and use you in ways that only He can accomplish. Expect God to open doors for ministry, divine appointments for witnessing, and opportunities to pray for others with supernatural results. As you begin expecting God to use you supernaturally this week, it is worth noting that there are specific steps and attitudes that position you to receive the Holy Spirit baptism. Many believers have been seeking for years without breakthrough simply because they’ve been approaching it with their adult minds instead of childlike faith. Check out this next video to discover the exact process Jesus outlined for receiving your Holy Spirit baptism. including why being childlike is the key that unlocks supernatural power, and how to position yourself for an immediate, life-changing encounter with God.
By Smith Wigglesworth.